"This is an easy choice in this race," the former New York City mayor said at a press conference in Miami before a gathering of Rubio supporters. "This is an easy choice for a Republican because he is the one candidate that we can trust to represent Republican principles in Washington and remain a Republican if he goes to Washington."

Rubio will face Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in the GOP senatorial primary in late August.

Giuliani's endorsement is among Rubio's most high profile to date, and is being seen as political payback to Crist who refused to endorse the former New York City mayor during his presidential bid two years ago.

Crist instead lent his last-minute support to Arizona Republican John McCain, who ultimately won that state's pivotal presidential primary and effectively ended Giuliani's hopes of becoming the GOP's presidential nominee.

A Mason-Dixon poll late last month showed Rubio leading Crist among Republican voters by 11 points, 48-37 percent. Fifteen percent in that survey remained undecided.

But it was almost as if Giuliani was back on the presidential campaign trail himself Monday, using much of his 10-minute endorsement speech to criticize President Obama's policies - specifically his approach to the war on terrorism.

"Let's have an America that stands up to terrorism, not an America that has ambiguity and confusion," Giuliani said. "Do we want to see people like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed tried in New York? Or Miami? Shouldn't he be tried in a military tribunal?"

"The president can't make up his mind," he continued. "Do you understand what kind of lack of leadership that shows to the rest of the world? I tried over 4,000 criminals. The easiest decision I had was where to try them."

soundoff(291 Responses)

He can't even remember when 9/11 happened. "Do you understand what kind of lack of leadership that shows to the rest of the world and America?

April 5, 2010 01:23 pm at 1:23 pm |

Jason

Please. Obama has done more to win the war on terror in 1 year than Bush did in 7.

April 5, 2010 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |

jm for sc

If Giuliani is the most highest profile endorser he has gotten, then he has not gotten any. This scum bag is still living off of his glory from the victums of 9/11. He has done nothing to deserve the attention he is getting.

I pray the people of Florida will support Governor Crist. While I am Democrat, I appreciate the credit Crist has given the Obama Administration for saving thousands of jobs in the state of Florida. Other Republican Governors would rather lie than give credit where it is due. People need to be encouraged not lied to for political gain.

April 5, 2010 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |

Mark

Oh yeah, sure, we trust the Republicans. Trust them to do nothing.

April 5, 2010 01:26 pm at 1:26 pm |

jerry

rudy, the message we need to send to terrorists is that we are still the mightiest country on earth not because of our thuggery, but because of our belief in justice for all.

April 5, 2010 01:27 pm at 1:27 pm |

Irma in North Carolina

I wonder if he will be like you when you campaigned for presidentr in florida? That didnt go over too good did it.

April 5, 2010 01:28 pm at 1:28 pm |

linda

Old man Giuliani – poor loser who never did anything but stand
in front of the mics after 9/11. Did not do a thing for New York,
and is an idiot!!

April 5, 2010 01:29 pm at 1:29 pm |

Jack Fl

Pure politics at its best. I wonder if he has ever met or had a discussion Rubio. One hand washing the other.sad thing is, GOP members will blindly follow because they are not willing to put forth the effort required to make an informed decision.

April 5, 2010 01:30 pm at 1:30 pm |

SOUTHERN HOTTIE

Rudy's bloviations do not mask the disdain he has for Crist; besides, we can all see that this is payback.

April 5, 2010 01:30 pm at 1:30 pm |

insightful

What a beautiful indorcement for Obama....thanks, Rudy ! ! !

April 5, 2010 01:31 pm at 1:31 pm |

Dean

Rudy face it your a nobody and nobody wans to hear your thoughts

April 5, 2010 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |

Al-NY,NY

Ugh....will this frankenstein EVER go away and leave us in peace?? Is any conservative going to listen to a pro-choice, pro-gay rights rabble rouser?? He is the last one they should be dealing with, unless of course they are only interested in SOME of his views while giving him a pass on others. Can you say hypocritical? And Rudy, still defending the idea about where you put the command centers in the WTC??

April 5, 2010 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |

SkiDoc

Spot on – Rudy! Rubio is part of the Republican makeover that is going to conclude with a November romp over the clueless Dems who march with open-mouth adoration of the "O"rator.

April 5, 2010 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |

Jeremy in Albuquerque

Go to bed, old man.

April 5, 2010 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |

bill

who cares who this looser backs.WHERE IS THE HEADLINE RIPS INTO OBAMA.I JUST WATCHED PRESIDENT OBAMA THROW OUT FIRST PITCH.AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EIGHT LOOOONG YEARS.I CAN SAY I AM PROUD OF MY COUNTRY.AGAIN.

April 5, 2010 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

Claudia, Houston, Tx

Rubio is Guiliani's backdrop for his own personal campaign because there's nothing new coming from Guiliani but his same old 9/11 and terrorism noise that has nothing to do with Rubio or Crist.

April 5, 2010 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

A. Smith, Oregon

Rudy Giuliani has lost all of his creditability, I don't see how the people in the New York city region even listens to anything Rudy has to say. The folks here on the West Coast simply laugh at Rudy's caustic comments in the same fashion as they do for Sarah Palin.

April 5, 2010 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |

CAL

Who is this twisted mouth loser to complain about President Obama? He is bitter because he spent all his time here in FL but Crist backed Mccain who lost anyway. rudy thinks that because 09/11 happen on his watch he is an expert, no matter what, this loser rudy always bring up 09/11.

April 5, 2010 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |

Peter E

For a mayor who increased government on the CITY level, imposed a police state, who has divorced/had extramarital affairs (despite claiming to be Catholic), who declared Moussaoui's (20th hijacker) trial to be safe within New York City, Rudi has the nerve to talk about 'conservative' values???

April 5, 2010 01:38 pm at 1:38 pm |

TLD

I didn't know "RUBY" was a post 911 President; DANG!!

April 5, 2010 01:38 pm at 1:38 pm |

Richard

Giuliani is SO IRRELEVANT – why do people even bother to site him or waste internet space on him???

April 5, 2010 01:38 pm at 1:38 pm |

alphonso

rubio u just seal yo own faith.gualina talking about values and he disrespected his ex wife wit his current wife n public when he was mayor.no wonder yo own daughter support president obama.stop being a punk crist and fight back.u call yo opponent rubio a friend.he is not yo friend.if crist continue 2 b nice 2 his so called friend.he wil lose

April 5, 2010 01:38 pm at 1:38 pm |

Diana

Kiss of death. Rubio – you're toast now.

April 5, 2010 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |

Laverne

and no one wanted you as president, what a shame! As a matter of fact our President has more respect around the world than you could ever hope to have, all you know how to do is criticize because you don't have the answers and a pitiful excuse for a leader. If my memory serves me correctly the last time you ridiculed Barack Obama he became president 1 1/2 months later, keep it up!

April 5, 2010 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |

NiftyFifty

Once upon a time I had some liking for Rudy. But he has joined the me and my party group over the good of the country. Heaven forbid he endorse someone who on some slim chance might agree with the administration once in a blue moon.